Former L.A. mayor says in two years the city could forgo libraries and parks for pensions
The former mayor of Los Angeles told a group of activists, L.A. Clean Sweep, that unless lawmakers address the rising costs of pensions the city will have to close public parks and libraries within the next two years. In response, the Los Angeles Times reports that the deputy chief of staff to current Mayor Villaraigosa said, “It’s an absurd notion that the city would plan to close its parks and libraries before reforming pensions.” The Times goes on to say that the mayor has already laid off nearly 100 library workers, cut library hours, and sent out layoff notices to child care workers at local parks.
Riordan says L.A. could run out of money for parks and libraries. (2010, July 17). Los Angeles Times.